EU postpones Sustainable Batteries Regulation due diligence requirements

The Sustainable Batteries Regulation is designed to oversee the entire lifecycle of batteries. The Regulation sets out sustainability, safety, labeling, and information requirements for EU batteries. Businesses must implement due diligence policies to manage social and environmental risks associated with battery raw materials. 

This proposal, part of the "Omnibus IV" package, aims to postpone the application of the due diligence obligations by two years, from 18 August 2025 to 18 August 2027. 

In addition to this postponement, new measures will require affected businesses to publish compliance reports every three years instead of annually. The European Commission will also publish due diligence guidelines one year before the obligations take effect to ensure smoother implementation.

Further negotiations on the proposal will now take place. While it is uncertain when this proposal will become law, the European Commission president has emphasized its importance, so developments are expected to progress more rapidly.

In preparation, it is crucial for affected businesses, especially battery producers, to utilize this additional time to align their operations with the due diligence requirements.

Practical steps businesses should take include:

• prepare to make information about supply chains, battery life-cycles, and compositions easily accessible to consumers via QR codes and battery passports
• ensure conformity with labeling, end-of-life management, and due diligence obligations across the battery life cycle
• proactively increase the use of recycled materials in battery composition and ensure raw materials are responsibly sourced